Trentonian editorial We say again: Resign, Benci

It was said here before and is worth repeating with even greater emphasis now that Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo has been indicted by a federal grand jury: He should resign. We’re not alone in saying so now. Two of his Republican allies on the Hamilton council have come to the conclusion he should step down.

“Given that a jury of his peers outside of the political arena deemed enough evidence exists to indict the mayor, at this critical point it is in the best interests of Hamiltonians for the mayor to step down,” said Councilwoman Kelly Yaede.

Councilman Dennis Pone added that the text of the indictment “is disturbing enough” that he too has “reluctantly” come to the conclusion the mayor should step aside.

According to the disturbing particulars of the indictment, Bencivengo, 58, solicited and took a bribe from a township school health contract broker to cover personal expenses including a notice from the IRS he owed $5,200 in income taxes.

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An indictment, of course, is not a conviction. It’s an accusation, a grand jury’s nod, upon hearing an outline of the case, that the FBI charges ought to be brought to a full trial. The mayor contends the exchanged money was a “loan,” and he’ll have the opportunity to offer that defense.

He’s entitled to the presumption of innocence in a court of law, and his defense attorney and the judge in the matter will see to it that he’s afforded the presumption the constitution provides him.

But, there’s no getting around the reality that the presumption of innocence doesn’t extend to the court of public opinion. In the court of public opinion the accusations against him cast a pall of suspicion on Bencivengo’s every activity behind the mayor’s desk. That may be unfair, but it’s how it is.

In addition to that, the legal preparations attendant to a pending trial surely will be a time-draining distraction from official responsibilities. Another way the mayor might look at it is that the official duties could detract from his legal defense obligations. In the public interest — and your own — step down. Benci.

Boom times

Who says the economy’s lousy. Not CE0s, surely, according to an AP report. The typical CEO raked in $9.6 million last year. It would take the median-salaried schlepper 244 years to attain such a sum. Working stiffs received an average pay hike of — trumpet flourish — 1 percent. Top executives’ pay climbed 6 percent. Gee, does this mean Obama has the CEO vote locked up?